Locals continue to be divided over location

Shivaji Park residents continued to talk on different lines with respect to late Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray’s memorial.

Shivaji Park residents continued to talk on different lines with respect to late Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray’s memorial. This was after Sena leader Manohar Joshi said that even if has to be unlawful, the memorial will come up at Shivaji Park. The only difference was that while some continued to have sharp views, others were indifferent to it.

“I don’t agree with Joshi. Balasaheb needs to be respected, but you have to draw a line somewhere. The park’s a playground. If a memorial comes up, there will be hardly anything for the future generation,” said Dr Alka Gogate, a resident.

Amarnath Junnarkar, another resident, seconded her and said, “While there is no doubt that the man should have a memorial, it should not come up at the park. People play here, and if ball hit the memorial, it’s bound to hurt sentiments.”

A few others, however, were equally vocal in terms of the memorial being at the park. “Today, Marathis are known only because of him. The memorial should come up at the park,” said Madhusudhan Thakur who lives close to Shivaji Park.

However, some people said nothing should come up where the cremation took place. “No one will oppose a memorial if it comes up at the park’s periphery. But it shouldn’t disrupt sporting activities,” said Gaurav Save, another resident.

Some suggested there should be a statue like that of his late wife Meenatai Thackeray. “The ideal thing would be that his statue comes up next to hers,” said Radhika Haldankar who runs a stall at Shivaji Park.